Sanitary Rotary Lobe Pumps

● 3-A SANITARY DESIGN● EHEDG CERTIFIED PATH● FDA-COMPLIANT MATERIALS● ASME-BPE● 316L ELECTROPOLISHED FINISH● FREE PUMP SIZING IN 24 H ● 3-A SANITARY DESIGN● EHEDG CERTIFIED PATH● FDA-COMPLIANT MATERIALS● ASME-BPE● 316L ELECTROPOLISHED FINISH● FREE PUMP SIZING IN 24 H
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Positive Displacement · Low-Shear

Sanitary Rotary Lobe Pumps

Gentle, positive-displacement transfer that protects viscous and shear-sensitive product — yogurt, cream cheese, fillings, cosmetics and pharma media. Fully CIP-cleanable, built to 3-A and EHEDG hygienic design.

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≤ 395GPM (90 m³/h)
≤ 290psi (20 bar)*
≤ 750rpm
316LRa ≤ 0.4 µm
3-ANo.1579 · FDA
Browse by configuration MINI compactTU standardSTU all-stainlessRelief valveHeating jacketHopper

Protect your product, all the way down the line

A rotary lobe pump moves product gently and at a steady, low-pulsation rate — without crushing particulates, shearing emulsions or aerating cultured product. With no metal-to-metal contact in the product zone and a fully drainable, CIP-cleanable body, it is the default hygienic choice for viscous and shear-sensitive fluids. Tell us your duty point and we will size the right model — free, within 24 hours. New to lobe pumps? Read how a rotary lobe pump works.

Showing 6 representative models Sort by
CompactDONJOY MINI STU-10 sanitary lobe pump

MINI STU-10

Max flow
13 GPM (3 m³/h)
Max pressure
174 psi (12 bar)
Speed
10–1450 rpm
Finish
316L · Ra ≤ 0.4 µm
Cert
3-A · FDA
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StandardDONJOY TU series sanitary lobe pump

TU Series

Max flow
395 GPM (90 m³/h)
Max pressure
220 psi (15 bar)
Max speed
750 rpm
Connection
Tri-Clamp · DIN
Material
316L (1.4404)
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All-stainless · ASME-BPEDONJOY STU series all-stainless lobe pump

STU Series

Max flow
395 GPM (90 m³/h)
Max pressure
220 psi (15 bar)
Finish
Ra ≤ 0.4 µm
Material
ASME-BPE 316L (1.4435)
Cert
3-A No.1579
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High-pressureDONJOY lobe pump with external relief valve

TU + Relief Valve

Max flow
395 GPM (90 m³/h)
Max pressure
290 psi (20 bar)
Feature
External relief valve
Connection
Tri-Clamp · DIN
Material
316L EP
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Jacketed · viscousDONJOY jacketed lobe pump for chocolate and syrup

TU + Heating Jacket

Max flow
395 GPM (90 m³/h)
Max pressure
220 psi (15 bar)
Jacket
End / outer / full
Duty
Chocolate · syrup · candy
Material
316L EP
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Powder / pasteDONJOY lobe pump with hopper for non-flowing material

TU + Hopper

Max flow
395 GPM (90 m³/h)
Max pressure
220 psi (15 bar)
Hopper
Square / round flange
Duty
Non-flowing material
Material
316L EP
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Specs reflect the DONJOY TU / STU rotary lobe range we reference (3-A-02-11 No.1579, FDA 177.2600, CE-MD). Standard pressure is 15 bar (220 psi); 20 bar (290 psi) with the external relief valve. Rotor (butterfly / 3-lobe / 2-lobe), seals, connections, surface finish and the supply source are matched to your specification and may be made to order.

Hygienic standards

Built to the standards your auditor checks

Every lobe pump is specified to crevice-free, drainable hygienic design with documented material traceability — built to 3-A-02-11 (No.1579), FDA 177.2600 and CE-MD, with 316L (and ASME-BPE 1.4435) wetted parts electropolished to Ra ≤ 0.4 µm.

3-A SanitaryEHEDG designFDA materialsASME-BPE316L · Ra ≤ 0.8 µm
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Case studies & guides

Real hygienic lobe-pump applications and selection guides.

Case study

Lobe Pump for Greek Yogurt Transfer

Read more →
Case study

Cream Cheese Filling Line Upgrade

Read more →
Case study

Cosmetic Emulsion Gentle Transfer

Read more →
Guide

Lobe vs Centrifugal vs Twin-Screw

Read more →

Rotary lobe pump FAQs

The questions buyers and engineers ask most before specifying a hygienic lobe pump.

How does a rotary lobe pump work?
Two intermeshing lobed rotors turn in opposite directions inside a precision casing. Product is drawn into the expanding cavity at the inlet, carried around the outside of each rotor, and pushed out at the discharge as the lobes mesh. Timing gears keep the rotors synchronized so they never touch — giving gentle, low-pulsation, positive-displacement flow.
Is a lobe pump better than a centrifugal pump?
Neither is “better” — they suit different fluids. A lobe pump wins for viscous or shear-sensitive product and steady metering against variable pressure; a centrifugal pump wins for thin, water-like fluids at high flow and low cost. Choose by viscosity, shear sensitivity and the flow-versus-pressure curve you need.
What viscosity can a lobe pump handle?
From thin liquids up to roughly 1,000,000 cP with the right rotor profile and reduced speed. Very high viscosity calls for larger cavities, lower rpm and sometimes a jacketed head to keep product moving.
Can a rotary lobe pump run dry?
Briefly during priming or line-clearing, but not for sustained periods — the seals (and on some models the rotor faces) rely on product for lubrication and cooling. For frequent dry-run conditions, specify the seal and material options designed for it.
Which elastomer should I choose?
Elastomer choice depends on the product and the cleaning chemistry. EPDM suits dairy, water-based product and CIP caustics but not fats and oils; FKM (Viton) suits oils and fats; PTFE offers the broadest chemical resistance. Tell us your fluid and CIP regime and we will confirm a compatible seal.
Is a lobe pump suitable for CIP and SIP?
Yes. The drainable, crevice-free geometry and hygienic seals let cleaning solution circulate through the pump in place, without disassembly. Confirm CIP flow velocity and elastomer compatibility for your cleaning chemistry; SIP-rated builds are available.
Can a lobe pump handle particulates and soft solids?
Yes — that is a key strength. The large, low-shear cavities carry fruit pieces, soft solids and delicate gels intact, which is why lobe pumps are widely used for fruit prep, cottage cheese and ready meals.
What hygienic standards do your lobe pumps meet?
Hygienic lobe pumps are specified to 3-A and EHEDG design principles, with FDA-compliant materials and 316L stainless electropolished to Ra ≤ 0.8 µm (Ra ≤ 0.5 µm and ASME-BPE for aseptic duty). The exact certification path depends on your market and audit.
How quickly can you size and quote a pump?
Send your duty point — flow, pressure, fluid, viscosity and temperature — and we return a sized selection and a budgetary quote within one business day. Supplier-neutral, matched to your process, not to one brand.

About sanitary rotary lobe pumps

Rotary lobe pumps are positive-displacement pumps: each revolution displaces a fixed volume, so flow stays steady and roughly proportional to speed regardless of discharge pressure. Unlike a centrifugal pump, a lobe pump handles high-viscosity product, holds flow against rising back-pressure, and runs gently enough to carry whole fruit pieces or delicate gels intact.

Why hygienic processors choose lobe pumps

Because there is no metal-to-metal contact in the product zone and no close-clearance seal faces dragging through the fluid, the lobe pump runs clean, cool and low-shear. Its open, drainable geometry cleans in place, and 316L electropolished wetted parts meet the crevice-free requirements of 3-A and EHEDG hygienic design.

Matching the pump to your process

The right selection balances flow, pressure, viscosity, shear sensitivity, temperature and your cleaning regime. If your fluid is thin and water-like, compare a sanitary centrifugal pump; for combined transfer-and-CIP duty in a single unit, compare a twin-screw pump. Not sure? Send your duty point and our engineers will size it free.

Not sure which lobe pump fits?

Send your duty point — sized free in 24 hours

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